My friend's son is currently on his mission in South America. I would like to send him a Christmas package. However, it takes approximately 6 weeks for packages to reach him. Therefore, some of my baked goods ideas just won't be good after that much time.
Also, he can't really collect a bunch of items, and because he is focusing on his mission I can't send him books or music.
When a girlfriend of mine was on her mission it was easy. I sent her things she would use up and not have to transport from location to location (soaps, lotions, etc.). With him I just don't know!
He adores my little girls, so I am going to send a recent picture of them, and have them make him a Christmas card.
Any suggestions on things a young man might like? Any ideas for goodies I could send that would still be good after six weeks? Ways to package goodies to preserve them?
I intend to send his package by the end of October so it is definitely there for the holidays.
Thanks in advance for you suggestions!
I would think hard candy that he can share, little bars of travel soap, shampoo that he can share. As for things for himself: nuts, pretzels, hot chocolate packets, mini marshmallows, biscotti (would hold up to the six weeks of shipping), travel wipes for quick clean ups, hand sanitizer, new socks, shoe inserts, anything to make his work easier would be a huge gift to him.
When my husband and I were missionaries in Japan, we loved getting care packages! Some of our favorite items were gum from home, hot chocolate and hot apple cider packets, postcards of home that we used to show people where we came from, little cards that we could leave with people (it would be cool to send him inspirational cards with both English and Spanish on them), and the latest news from home. The best part about receiving care packages is knowing that someone is thinking of you. It sounds like you are definitely thinking of him!
I don't have a specific item for you, but I'm thinking that as a missionary, something that would allow him to give to other people. For example, a friend of mine who's a great seamstress once made some note cards for me that actually had decorations sewn in. I doubt that's something you would send to a young man. However, I thought it was very thoughtful of her to send me something that I could use to be a blessing to others.
When my brother was in Russia I sent him "cookies" and he LOVED it. I put all the dry ingredients in ziplock bags (the exact amount) I purchased the smallest bottle of vanilla I could find (our walmart has small plastic bottles) and I sent a bag of chocolate chips. I sent that along with how much butter and eggs to add and the baking directions.
My mom used to send him dream whip, it is a powdered mix that you mix with milk to make cool whip. He said he didn't have an electric mixer like the instructions call for, but it will also work with a spoon and a determined missionary!!
When my son was stationed in Iraq with the Army, I sent him food that could stand the long trip - gum, non-chocolate candy, graham crackers, Triscuits, cans of flavored nuts. I didn't send homemade, because they didn't survive the trip - I tried; however, I heard the crumbs were tasty. After that, I went to the store. Some of what I sent was junk food but he didn't seem to mind!
What else is your friend's son allowed to receive? Can he use travel-sized toiletries? (Check for restrictions on what can be mailed.) Batteries for anything he has with him? Puzzle magazines? Small jigsaw puzzles? Small games? Things like that he can give away if he wants to; you don't want to send things that he needs to haul back home (family photos don't count, of course!).
We had a friend who was deployed in the military and he loved to get soaps, lotion, wet wipes, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, just like the ladies. Even the guys need these toiletries! Depending on where he is, maybe new t-shirts or thermal underware. Peppermints are always good and pack well. If he can email you, ask him if there's anything specific he would like. Usually you get some suggestions and they are truly needed items.
